Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (PI)

Laser PI is a highly precise laser treatment, targeted at patients with shorter eyes and crowded drainage angles at risk of a spike in eye pressure. The associated conditions are primary angle closure suspects or chronic angle closure glaucoma. It is generally used as a first-line treatment.

PI is an in-office procedure and takes anywhere between 15-30 minutes. A pressure lowering and numbing drop is applied to the eye that requires treatment. A lens is then placed on the eye to keep it steady and assist in laser delivery. Laser energy is applied in rapid succession to the peripheral iris, the coloured part of the eye. This creates a microscopic hole, resulting in opening of the drainage angle and better fluid outflow. At the time of treatment, you may experience some discomfort, but this usually settles.